Campaspe Shire Council has adopted the Kyabram Flood Study, a document identifying problematic areas in Kyabram, along with how to avoid and manage any future flooding events.
Mayor, Cr Chrissy Weller said the study is the result of years of extensive community consultation and tremendously detailed flood mapping by the project team. This group comprised of specialist flood hydrologists, together with senior officers from Council, VicSES and Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority.
“The report will be of great benefit to Kyabram residents. Although it is a relatively flat area, there are known areas in Kyabram that are inclined to flood and cause difficulties. Significant flooding events occurred during 2012 and 1993, the latter causing flood damage to around 50 buildings.
“There has never been a thorough investigation into the extent, depths and sensitivities of flooding in Kyabram, so it was fantastic to see so many residents eager to provide their knowledge.”
The study was developed in a step-by-step approach, including:
- Gathering historical flood records
- Developing a computerised hydraulic model of the town’s drainage network
- Developing a hydrological (rainfall) model
- Calibrating these models to reproduce the 1993 and 2012 floods
- Applying the models to produce a range of ‘design events’. In layman’s terms, design events identify what would happen during a 1 in 5 year flood ranging to what would happen during a 1 in 100 year flood (and everything else in between).
- Producing information to assist Council and VicSES in case of a flood emergency
- Investigating opportunities for a flood warning system
Assessments were made to the sensitivity of blockages and pump failures. This highlighted the importance of regular pump maintenance, along with the ongoing training of Council staff.
The study outlined nine mitigation options and detailed assessment of the best three. Some aspects included drainage pipe and culvert upgrades for consideration in Council capital works.
Several other recommendations were considered, including flood warning systems. However, due to the flash flood nature of Kyabram, these systems were found to be of limited benefit.
Council will now seek funding from the Department of Environment Land Water and Planning to prepare planning amendments to the Campaspe Planning Scheme. This will result in the incorporation of recommendations from the flood study into the scheme.
The Kyabram Flood Study is available on .
